America’s fallen remembered at Fort Sam

By Jamie Stockwell, San Antonio Express-News

Published 1:21 pm, Saturday, December 13, 2014

Photo: Luis Rios / San Antonio Express-News

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Almena Fritz, 71, at left and widow of Master Sgt. Robert Emil Fritz, consoles her grandson Dustyne Arik Fritz, 15, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery prior to the start of the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Dec. 13. At right is Dustyne's mother and Almena's daughter-in-law Della Fritz. Robert Fritz was a 20-year Air Force veteran and a San Antonio native. He was a member of the first graduating class at Highland's High School in 1959. less

Almena Fritz, 71, at left and widow of Master Sgt. Robert Emil Fritz, consoles her grandson Dustyne Arik Fritz, 15, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery prior to the start of the Wreaths Across America ... more

Photo: Luis Rios / San Antonio Express-News

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A group of Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts listen to speakers at a Wreaths Across America ceremony held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. Hundreds of veterans, family members, JROTC and scouting groups laid thousands of wreaths at the gravesites. less

A group of Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts listen to speakers at a Wreaths Across America ceremony held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. Hundreds of veterans, family members, JROTC ... more

Photo: Luis Rios

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Marines attending the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery fold the flag before presenting it the hundreds of veterans, family members, JROTC and scouting groups gathered on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. less

Marines attending the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery fold the flag before presenting it the hundreds of veterans, family members, JROTC and scouting groups gathered on ... more

Photo: Luis Rios

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Veterans, family members, JROTC and scouting groups look on as the colors are presented at the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. Hundreds of volunteers gathered Saturday morning to lay wreaths at the gravesites of the fallen service members. less

Veterans, family members, JROTC and scouting groups look on as the colors are presented at the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. Hundreds of ... more

Photo: Luis Rios

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Veterans, family members, JROTC and scouting groups look on as the colors are presented by the Johnson High School JROTC Color Guard at the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. Hundreds of volunteers gathered Saturday morning to lay wreaths at the gravesites of the fallen servicemembers. less

Veterans, family members, JROTC and scouting groups look on as the colors are presented by the Johnson High School JROTC Color Guard at the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery ... more

Photo: Luis Rios

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Angelita Reyes, 89, and her daughter Evelyn Plumlee visit at the gravesite of Reyes' husband Santiago Reyes who served as a Private in the U.S. Army during World War II. Hundreds veterans, family members, JROTC and scouting groups gathered at the cemetery to lay thousands of wreaths at the gravesites of fallen service members on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. less

Angelita Reyes, 89, and her daughter Evelyn Plumlee visit at the gravesite of Reyes' husband Santiago Reyes who served as a Private in the U.S. Army during World War II. Hundreds veterans, family members, JROTC ... more

Photo: Luis Rios

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Almena Fritz, 71, at left and widow of E8 SMSGT Robert Emil Fritz, consoles her grandson Dustyne Arik Fritz, 15, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery prior to the start of the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. At right is Dustyne's mother and Almena's daughter-in-law Della Fritz. Robert Fritz was a 20-year Air Force veteran and a San Antonio native. He was a member of the first graduating class at Highland's High School in 1959. Almena Fritz lives in San Antonio. Della Fritz and Dustyne live in Bandera with daughter Debrah, 14, and husband David. less

Almena Fritz, 71, at left and widow of E8 SMSGT Robert Emil Fritz, consoles her grandson Dustyne Arik Fritz, 15, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery prior to the start of the Wreaths Across America ceremony ... more

Photo: Luis Rios

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A lone flag flies in the breeze as people begin to arrive at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery for the start of the Wreaths Across America.

A lone flag flies in the breeze as people begin to arrive at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery for the start of the Wreaths Across America.

Photo: Luis Rios

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More than 17,000 holiday wreaths are expected to be laid at the Fort Sam tombstones by a legion of volunteers, part of a nationwide effort called Wreaths Across America.

More than 17,000 holiday wreaths are expected to be laid at the Fort Sam tombstones by a legion of volunteers, part of a nationwide effort called Wreaths Across America.

Photo: By Jamie Stockwell, San Antoinio Express-News

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More than 17,000 holiday wreaths are expected to be laid at the Fort Sam tombstones by a legion of volunteers, part of a nationwide effort called Wreaths Across America.

More than 17,000 holiday wreaths are expected to be laid at the Fort Sam tombstones by a legion of volunteers, part of a nationwide effort called Wreaths Across America.

Photo: By Jamie Stockwell, San Antoinio Express-News

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More than 17,000 holiday wreaths are expected to be laid at the Fort Sam tombstones by a legion of volunteers, part of a nationwide effort called Wreaths Across America.

More than 17,000 holiday wreaths are expected to be laid at the Fort Sam tombstones by a legion of volunteers, part of a nationwide effort called Wreaths Across America.

Photo: By Jamie Stockwell, San Antoinio Express-News

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More than 17,000 holiday wreaths are expected to be laid at the Fort Sam tombstones by a legion of volunteers, part of a nationwide effort called Wreaths Across America.

More than 17,000 holiday wreaths are expected to be laid at the Fort Sam tombstones by a legion of volunteers, part of a nationwide effort called Wreaths Across America.

Photo: By Jamie Stockwell, San Antoinio Express-News

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More than 17,000 holiday wreaths are expected to be laid at the Fort Sam tombstones by a legion of volunteers, part of a nationwide effort called Wreaths Across America.

More than 17,000 holiday wreaths are expected to be laid at the Fort Sam tombstones by a legion of volunteers, part of a nationwide effort called Wreaths Across America.

Photo: By Jamie Stockwell, San Antoinio Express-News

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More than 17,000 holiday wreaths are expected to be laid at the Fort Sam tombstones by a legion of volunteers, part of a nationwide effort called Wreaths Across America.

More than 17,000 holiday wreaths are expected to be laid at the Fort Sam tombstones by a legion of volunteers, part of a nationwide effort called Wreaths Across America.

Photo: By Jamie Stockwell, San Antoinio Express-News

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More than 17,000 holiday wreaths are expected to be laid at the Fort Sam tombstones by a legion of volunteers, part of a nationwide effort called Wreaths Across America.

More than 17,000 holiday wreaths are expected to be laid at the Fort Sam tombstones by a legion of volunteers, part of a nationwide effort called Wreaths Across America.

Photo: By Jamie Stockwell, San Antoinio Express-News

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More than 17,000 holiday wreaths are expected to be laid at the Fort Sam tombstones by a legion of volunteers, part of a nationwide effort called Wreaths Across America.

More than 17,000 holiday wreaths are expected to be laid at the Fort Sam tombstones by a legion of volunteers, part of a nationwide effort called Wreaths Across America.

Photo: By Jamie Stockwell, San Antoinio Express-News

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America’s fallen remembered at Fort Sam

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Beneath a gray, cloudy sky, thousands of people gathered at Fort Sam Houston Saturday morning in a solemn remembrance of those buried at the U.S. Army post.

More than 17,000 holiday wreaths are expected to be laid at the Fort Sam tombstones by a legion of volunteers, part of a nationwide effort called Wreaths Across America.

Around the country similar ceremonies took place at national and state cemeteries. At Arlington National Cemetery, where more than 400,000 military personnel are buried, more than 300,000 wreaths were laid, nearly blanketing the graves outside the nation's capital, said Judy Carlile, who spearheaded the Fort Sam observance.